A woman with animals and a gift for finding lost dogs, is at a crossroad in her life. Online she has been following the story of a lost dog in Georgia (the county not the state). So she decides to put her “life” on hold while she flys to Georgia to find this missing dog. Of course, it becomes a journey of self discovery and more. She experiences Georgian culture and society while living with the local residents. The reader learns a lot as well. For me this book was primarily worth reading to learn the perspective of the Georgians.

"A Dog in Georgia" is a stunning and (frighteningly) timely novel that is impossible to place into any one classification or category. In simple terms, it is a story about a woman who, while searching for a remarkable (and symbolic) stray dog in post-Soviet Georgia, is truly searching for herself and her place in the world. But it is about so much more. My sincere gratitude to NetGalley and Algonquin Books for trusting me (again) with an advance copy of a Lauren Grodstein novel for review. She is an all-time favorite of mine.

ADiG is a novel of tremendous depth and delivers the weight of history up to our present day (including the ways in which sociopolitical events repeat themselves - and NOT for the better). It is a story of american privilege and the idea that "it can't happen here" while "it" is chillingly doing just that. It is a story fraught with human complexities. On one hand how giving, selfless, and resilient humans can be and, conversely, how merciless, greedy, and inhumane. And it is a story of relationships - between families, friends, like-minded strangers, and, of course, DOGS! The "invisible thread" that ties some of us to these angels on earth.

The novel is set, primarily, in post-soviet Georgia (with Russia still an ever-present and looming threat -- waging war in Ukraine -- an insidious presence that has never gone away). And with that, the ongoing consequences (financial, educational, cultural, etc.) faced by people living under a singularly focused Russian leader with his "foot on the neck" of democracy. These are weary people who have lived through much upheaval and believe more in "reality" than in promises. Especially promises made by powerful others.

Lauren Grodstein's meticulous research shines through in each of her novels - from topics such as terminal diagnoses, separation, divorce, and family systems to the historical horrors of Nazi Germany and modern day politics as mentioned earlier. She also embeds much of her personal life within the pages she writes and brings layered and complex characters into existence in the process. The protagonist Amy Webb's complicated childhood (with an absent father) and her marriage to a larger than life restaurateur, Judd, who philanders and takes for granted the devotion of his wife, launch her heroine's journey to Georgia (and Paris!!). Amy, still very beautiful but feeling older and dissatisfied, has filled her life with cooking, teaching, caretaking, and YouTube videos featuring animals. From the thread that has kept her deeply connected to dogs throughout her life, Amy takes on the project of locating a beloved dog in Georgia who has gone missing and becomes a focus of her charity and attention online. This diversion gives her purpose and removes her, briefly, from the unfulfilling confusion of her life in NYC.

Since I've also had the pleasure of getting to know this writer, over a number of years, via social media account(s) and some messaging, I am privy to the lengths she goes to in researching (living and embodying) many of the things she writes about. This is what gives her characters and settings such a multidimensional and unique presence. Animates them and makes them unforgettable.

In many ways, Amy sees herself as a savior and there are moments of great personal leveling when she is shown -- through the lives of those she has been living with and among -- that she has been taking her freedom and privilege for granted because that is very much what we do in this country. From believing she is the one to singlehandedly save the missing Angel, to her standing behind the "safety" of being a tourist and an American, she slowly realizes how much she has been given, but also how little she can control the world around her.

She comes to a realization that she no longer desires dependence on a person (in this case her husband, Judd) and knows that her stepson, Ferry, will be just fine and will always be part of her life. She does not have to people-please and caretake and we see (at the incredible conclusion to the novel) that she may now be walking an entirely different path as the result of these cumulative experiences. The allure of her safe "home" (of what she knew) and of New York, the US, her marriage, and teaching may not be the solid structure she thought they were. All the things she knows and relies upon may need to be upended so that she can begin again. I REALLY loved this character and this story.

As is typical in Lauren Grodstein's books, ALL of the characters are complicated and layered (just like people in real life). They are as easy to admire as they are maddeningly naive and selfish, but that is the human condition.

PREORDER THIS NOVEL!!!! I took extra time in writing the review it deserves and I will be reading ADiG again. Simply marvelous work. Brava!

Exquisitely written. One of the strangest, most interesting stories I think I've read. Longer review coming. I need to think about this one.

This is an amazing book! I'm so glad I read it. In some ways it was a story of personal growth, in other ways a philosophical political commentary on the world! What does it mean to be free? Personally, politically, emotionally? This book resonated with me in so many ways. Ostensibly, its a story about Amy, who having discovered evidence of her husband's possible infidelity, decides to travel to the country of Georgia. Amy, is a huge dog lover and has been following a dog name Angel on YouTube. Angel has disappeared, and Amy decides that in the midst of her marital turmoil, she will go to Georgia to help locate Angel. What follows is a beautiful story of friendship, of family, of emotional growth and so much more. I absolutely loved this book...one of the most meaningful books I've read in a very long time! I would give more than 5 stars if it were possible!

"A Dog in Georgia" Starts in NYC. Amy a dog lover, reads about a dog named Angel that came up missing in Georgia. Not Georgia USA, but Georgia by Russia and the Ukraine. Amy is offered a place to stay in Georgia while she searches for the famous dog who walks kids to school and is beloved by the town people. When she gets there she starts to make friends with the woman who owns the home. and her teenaged daughter Maia. and an male tennant who is there temporarily. Amy sets out to find the dog Angel but the in the book this is only a small part of the topic. Amy gets to Georgia when the country is in upheaval. Russia is trying to take over parts of Georgia and there are a lot of politics involved that are divided amongst the townspeople.
Amy also finds that the houseowner has other reasons for Amy to be there in Georgia. She asks Amy if she would take her teenage daughter back to the USA with her because she if fearful for her rebellious daughter's safety. Add to the drama that Amy has back in the USA convinced her husband is having an affair, she is the step mother to Ferry her spouse's son who counts on Amy to be a reliable mom to him since his own mother is a drug addict. There is a LOT going on in Amy's life. She is witnessing the political dealings in Georgia, trying to decide if she should help the teenage girl. and of course, where is that dog Angel? I liked this book for the most part. the dog search is a small part of the book that i hoped had a happy ending. A good read. I would give this a 3.5.

“A Dog in Georgia” by Lauren Grodstein is a story of personal growth and development. Amy travels from New York City to the country of Georgia, ostensibly to find a lost dog named Angel. In reality, Amy is embarking on a quest to face herself and the meaning and purpose in her life. “A Dog in Georgia” is the story of one individual who chooses to interact with another culture, and a reflection on our lives as Americans. It is well written and contains multiple layers that invite the reader to think about the interconnectivity of our lives and the many choices available to us.

Thank you to NetGalley and Algonquin books for providing me with an Advance Readers Copy.

Amy has been following YouTube videos about a dog named Angel, in the country Georgia, who helped walk children to school. When Angel goes missing, Amy decides she has to help, so she travels to Georgia to help search for Angel.

Amy is grappling with evidence of yet another affair from her husband, she is searching for Angel to get away from her own troubles. While in Georgia Amy stays with a family who offers her a room in their home, she starts to make friends with the family and learns more about the country where she is staying. Amy finds that Georgia is dealing with some political unrest and while there she starts out on a path to her own self-discovery, a later in life coming of age story.

This was my first book by Lauren Grodstein and it did not disappoint. Overall, this was an enjoyable read.

Marriage in crisis, addiction, step parenting, cheating, mid-life crisis, travel, self discovery, set in NYC / Georgia (the country!)

I absolutely LOVED this book! And the author is great too, she's hilarious IRL and writes such relatable stories (even if you're not the same age as the characters or in the same situations).

The premise is that Amy, whose escape is looking at dog videos on YouTube, decides amist the chaos of her life, to drop everything and travel to Georgia to help find a lost dog. Not just any lost dog, but a special one - there are many strays on the streets of Georgia (and many other countries).

She ends up in some *situations* but learns about herself along the way. I wish I could read it again for the first time.

As someone who really enjoyed Grodstein's last book, We Must Not Think of Ourselves, this one did not disappoint. The main character is questioning her life, commitments, self-fulfillment, etc., and steps outside of her comfort zone in the process of reassessing and rearranging her priorities. I found the struggles compelling, the characters complex and believable, and the setting unusual and interesting. The story would not have been the same in a more traditional setting.

This is the first novel I've read by Lauren Grodstein, but after reading "A Dog in Georgia", I will be adding her other books to my TBR list. I loved this novel. It takes place in NYC and the country of Georgia. The main character, Amy, is a New Yorker who is going through something hard. Let's generalize and call it familial. Georgia is also going through hardship, also familial--if you cast the current autocratic government as the tyrannical parent and Russia as the evil stepmother. Lob in a sexy and mysterious Russian, a multi-generational houseful of strong Georgian matriarchs, a spitfire of a teenage girl with revolution on her mind and few dozen dogs with big personalities and you get a story that is both charming and intense. There's also quite a bit of delicious detail devoted to food. You might get hungry reading. It scratched all of my good story itches. It made me sit up straighter as I saw looming similarities with our Country's own newly elected autocratic wannabe. But mostly, I missed the DoginGeorgia world and the characters who lived in it. Really good writing. Really good story. Really good book.

I am obsessed with Lauren Grodstein 's newest novel (not out yet but pre-order, trust me), A Dog in Georgia (the once Soviet country, not the American state.) About how and why we save people, and how we learn to save ourselves, the novel follows Amy, a wife and mother, who goes to Georgia to find a missing dog, and instead, discovers the achingly missing pieces of herself. About politics and protests, love and lust, the book does what the best books do: immerses you in a foreign culture (with unnerving parallels to ours) so raw and intimate, you see, hear and taste it. Oh my God, this novel.

Laura Grodstein has a great book coming out this summer. A Dog in Georgia was such a great read. I loved it.

Wow, this really hit me in the feels because I identify a lot with the main character. Loved it!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

I enjoyed this book a lot! I liked the way that it showed a womans life and how you can be part of so many things an din the blink of an eye you see where you are at in life! it was a good book and it had me thinking a lot while reading it!

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!